THRDC proposes the International Day of Families be declared a public holiday

DAR ES SALAAM: THE National Coordinator of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Advocate Onesmo Olengurumwa, has called on the government to give greater recognition to the International Day of Families by officially declaring it a public holiday to highlight the importance of families in national development.

Olengurumwa made the remarks ahead of the International Day of Families, commemorated annually on May 15, under this year’s theme: “Family, Equality and Child Welfare.”

He said that the family remains the foundation of any nation and that without strong family structures, social and economic development cannot be effectively achieved.

Speaking on this year’s theme, Olengurumwa noted that the government has a responsibility to create a conducive environment for child welfare, pointing out that many families continue to face difficulties in providing children with essential services such as education, healthcare and nutrition.

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“Many children in our families are unable to access basic services such as education, healthcare and other essential needs. The government must ensure these services are available to all children, as not every family has the capacity to raise a child through to adulthood,” he said.

He further warned that lack of access to essential services for children could widen social inequalities, potentially increasing poverty levels and social divisions within communities.

Olengurumwa added that the International Day of Families should serve as an opportunity for the government to assess its support systems for families and establish stronger strategies aimed at building an equitable, stable and prosperous society.